Jantjies was loaned to the Cape Town-based Stormers after the Johannesburg-based Lions were relegated from Super Rugby in 2012. Van der Merwe went to the Durban-based Sharks. But the pair are among a group of players to recommit to the Lions after the team won their place back in Super Rugby by beating the Southern Kings in a two-leg play-off in August.

Lionel Mapoe, who has been called up to South Africa's squad but has no Test caps, - like Van der Merwe, also returns to the Lions on a two-year deal after playing for the three-time Super Rugby champion Bulls last season.

The Lions reportedly are also trying to sign Bees Roux on a permanent contract after the prop joined on a short-term deal for the Currie Cup. Roux, a former Bulls player, pleaded guilty to a culpable homicide charge for beating to death a traffic policeman in the Pretoria in 2010 and was given a five-year suspended prison sentence, after which he left to play in France and Italy.